What Is Laying the Groundwork Today for the Next Big Education Revolution?

Abstract

The rapid development of mRNA vaccines provides a striking example of the long-term value of basic research. When the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 arose, the progress of decades of research provided the basis for most of the vaccination strategies being used to combat the resultant pandemic. This logical question ensues: What basic research efforts of today are laying the groundwork for major advances in teaching and learning in the next 20 years? An interesting speculation lies in the Human Connectome Project and its mapping of brain structures and functions.